The mother of one of the Florida high school shooting victims claimed it is a ‘miracle’ her daughter is still alive after she was hit by multiple AR-15 assault rifle bullets.
Doctors were unable to determine how many bullets Maddy Wilford, a junior at the high school, was hit by in the attack which killed 17 just two days ago.
Her mother, Missy Cantrell Wilford, posted an emotional Facebook status thanking God for saving her daughter before revealing the horrific nature of the injuries Maddy sustained in the attack on Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.
Missy Cantrell Wilford (left) posted an emotional Facebook status thanking God for saving her daughter Maddy (right)
She revealed that her daughter was hit by bullets from an AR-15 assault rifle – a semi-automatic assault rifle which is modeled around the US military graded M16 rifle.
Ms Wilford wrote: ‘I have to thank my Lord and Savior for sparring my daughters life today. I feel Blessed beyond words, knowing that many didn’t survive.
She added: ‘Madeleine made it through her second surgery, she incurred multiple gunshot wounds with an AR-15 assault rifle. The surgeon’s didn’t know how many exactly, but she is alive which is a miracle. As the surgeons said, it only takes one.
‘She had one that went through her back, crushing her ribs, piercing through her right lung and exiting through her stomach.
‘Several went through the shoulder and traveled the length of her right arm before exiting… She will undergo a third surgery tomorrow to put in a permanent titatium plates to hold her ribs together.
‘Even after all of that, the bullets missed her liver, reproduction organs, heartm she could have been paralyzed. It is a miracle.’
She also revealed that her daughter is one a ventilator after one of her lungs collapsed and that her ribs were crushing the other.
Maddy, a Stoneman Douglas girls basketball player, was due to play in a regional quarterfinal on Thursday night, but was instead left fighting for her life in hospital
Maddy, a Stoneman Douglas girls basketball player, was due to play in a regional quarterfinal on Thursday night, but was instead left fighting for her life in hospital.
Her basketball coach Marilyn Rule also took to Facebook to show her support for her young player.
Ms Rule wrote: ‘One of my basketball players is fighting for her life! Please pray for Maddy Wilford…We Love You Maddy.’
Maddy is one of two survivors from the attack who remain in intensive care following the shooting.
A GoFundMe page has been set up by friends of the family following the tragedy. So far, $28,679 of $50,000 goal has been raised in honour of Maddy.
The emotional Facebook post written by Maddy’s mother following the attack in Florida on Wednesday
The page was set up by Robert Meaders, who claims to have been a friend of Maddy’s mother for more than 30 years.
On the GoFundMe appeal, he wrote: ‘As the situation has evolved, we find the need to be greater and greater. Maddy’s road to recovery will be arduous for her and her mother.
‘All funds collected will go directly to Missy to meet her needs in the coming weeks, months, and even years as immidiate (sic) needs are taken care of and Maddy’s recovery take precedent.’
Emily Cashion, one of Maddy’s basketball teammates, paid homage to her friend at a vigil for the shooting victims on Thuesday and said their minds were completely focused on those who were injured.
‘We’re not thinking about anything else — just making sure she’s OK, ‘ Cashion said.
Nikolas de Jesus Cruz, 19, entered Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland armed with an assault rifle and began shooting just after 2pm on Wednesday
People attend a candlelight vigil for the victims of the Wednesday shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland, Florida